Living In McAlester

Location/ Transportation

McAlester and the surrounding area have become the regional center for commerce, retail trade, culture, recreation and heritage in Southeast Oklahoma. McAlester is located at the crossroads of US Highway 69 north and south and US Highway 270 east and west. The Indian Nation Turnpike also serves the area and Interstate 40 is only 40 miles to the north.

Located 90 miles south of Tulsa and 120 miles southeast of Oklahoma City, McAlester is within easy driving distance to major metropolitan areas.

Pittsburg County has average accessibility to state and national highway systems. The county is located in the southeastern part of the state. A network of State and Federal highways and railroads serves Pittsburg County. US Highway 69 and 271 and State Highway 71 cross the county in a north-south direction. US Highway 270 and State Highway 1, 31, and 9 cross the county in a east-west direction. The nearest interstate, Interstate Highway 40 is approximately 40 miles north from McAlester.

Railway

As a Class II shortline railroad that is uniquely suited to a business's needs. The Arkansas Oklahoma Railroad (A-OK) is a locally owned railroad and provides daily rail service. The railroad services the industrial park.

1869 – James Jackson McAlester set up a trading firm near coal outcrops at the intersection of the California and Texas roads. Within 24 hours McAlester sold goods worth more than $19 before the lumber to build the store had even been taken out of the wagon. Quickly McAlester realized that business would be good in this new area.

1872 – Coal discovered in the area was tested and found to be the best grade of steam coal west of Pennsylvania. Plans were quickly made to begin harvesting the coal. The MK&T Railroad was built through this area and the station was named after J.J. McAlester.

1876 – Coal mining began to boom. A large group of Italians immigrated to this area to find honest work and a better life.

1904 – Realizing the importance of a strong business community, several prominent businessmen began a chamber of commerce to promote the growth of South McAlester.

1906 – McAlester and South McAlester united and become one booming city – known as McAlester.

1908 – William H. Busby finished the construction of the Busby Theatre. This theater was the biggest entertainment center in Indian Territory. One of the first performances at the theater was Ben Hur, which included a chariot race performed by two chariots being pulled by four white horses across the stage. This was one of many first-class productions that fueled enthusiasm for the theater in the southwest.

2010 – McAlester continues to thrive and grow with tremendous opportunities for businesses and family. With a 22 percent lower cost of living than the national average, it is easy to see why McAlester continues to be a great place to live, work and play!

Quality Public Service

McAlester Police Department is well prepared to protect and serve the McAlester community. The department has a Detective Division and a Narcotics Task Force and readily assists other local and state agencies when needed.

Chief of Police Gary Wansick1st & Washington 423-1212 non-emergency

McAlester Fire Department protects life and property in and around the McAlester area. All fire-fighters are cross-trained in Life Support. The department also provides the community with several emergency Medical Services. McAlester Fire Department current ISO rating is 4.

Fire Chief Brett Brewer1st & Washington 423-6709 non emergency

Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for 1,306 square miles of people and personal property and has 35 employees comprised of deputies and staff members. The office is a partner of the local Narcotics Task Force. A special reserve unit assists the city of McAlester and other law enforcement agencies wherever and whenever needed.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol - Troop D is located at the apex of Business 69 and Bypass 69. As the principal statewide law enforcement agency in Oklahoma, the State Patrol is dedicated to providing quality policing directed at achieving safer roadways and reducing crime through pro-active investigations, education and patrol services and by providing leadership and resources during natural disasters, civil disorders and critical incidents.423-3636 emergency 423-3621 non emergency

Cost of Living

ACCRA Cost of Living Index

McAlester has been ranked at the cheapest place to live in the country based on the ACCRA Cost of Living index!

Among the 298 urban areas participating in the fourth quarter 2005 ACCRA Cost of Living Index, the after-tax cost for a professional/managerial standard of living ranged from more than twice the national average in New York (Manhattan) NY to more than 20 percent below the national average in McAlester OK. The ACCRA Cost of Living Index is compiled and published quarterly by ACCRA – The Council for Community and Economic Research.

The Ten Most and Least Expensive Urban Areas in the ACCRA Cost of Living Index (COLI)

Fourth Quarter 2005 National Average for 298 Urban Areas = 100

Most Expensive

Least Expensive

COL

COL

Rank

Urban Areas

Index

Rank

Urban Areas

Index

1

New York (Manhattan) NY

204.3

1

McAlester OK

78.8

2

San Francisco CA

171.4

2

Joplin MO

82.4

3

Honolulu HI

163.2

3

Pryor Creek OK

82.5

4

Los Angeles-Long Beach CA

159.0

4

Jonesboro AR

83.5

5

San Jose CA

158.1

5

Nevada MO

84.1

6

Orange County CA

156.1

6

McAllen TX

84.8

7

Stamford CT

150.6

7

Lubbock TX

84.8

8

San Diego CA

150.3

8

Douglas GA

84.9

9

Oakland CA

147.5

9

Palestine-Anderson County TX

85.0

10

Nassau County NY

146.9

10

Fort Smith AR

85.3

The ACCRA Cost of Living Index measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures, for professional and managerial households in the top income quintile. It is based on more than 50,000 prices covering almost 60 different items for which prices are collected quarterly by chambers of commerce, economic development organizations or university applied economic centers in each participating urban area. Small differences should not be interpreted as showing a measurable difference.

The composite index is based on six components – housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services.